Monthly Donation Recipient Zoe Porter
Each month Stubbs Dental donates a portion of all new patient exams to a deserving member of our community. June's recipient is Zoe Porter from Bountiful, Utah. At Zoe's 6 year check-up, her pediatrician noticed a slight curve in her back and sent her for X-rays and to see a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. They said she had Scoliosis, which is a sideways curve in your spine. She had a double curve in an 's' shape. Zoe's curves continue to get worse. Zoe was also diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was 7 years old, Hashimoto's at 8, and Celiac disease at 9. She also wears an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor.
Zoe's curves worsened at each check up and eventually she was fitted for a custom TLSO back brace at the orthotists. She wore it 16-18 hours a day for over a year, and greatly disliked it. It was very tight, uncomfortable, and even caused a few panic attacks. Now at age 11 Zoe's curves were at 50 degrees thoracic and 50 degrees lumbar.
In January 2018 Zoe traveled all the way to Philadelphia to undergo a procedure call Vertebral Body Tethering(VBT). This is a newer procedure as it's only been around for about ten years or so, and there are only a few dozen doctors around the world who do it right now. Zoe will be flying back to Philadelphia in just a few weeks for her 6 month check up. She must then travel again for a 12 month check up and then yearly until she is an adult.
Stubbs was able to donate $1,800 dollars to help Zoe and her parents take care of medical bills associated with her procedure and travel expenses. If you are interested in reading Zoe's full story or donating to her cause please visit her Go Fund Me page.
So remember, when you become a patient at Stubbs Dental not only are you helping yourself by taking care of your teeth, you are helping a deserving member of your local community! If you would like to nominate someone to receive the Stubbs Dental donation please send an email to marketing@stubbsdental.com.
